Pamela named Person of the Year by PETA

London, Jan 01 (Agencies): Playboy model Pamela Anderson has been named the Person of the Year by PETA for her tireless work to end cruelty against animals.

The former 'Baywatch' star has been an active campaigner for animal rights over the years and her work has now been recognised by PETA.

"For years, Anderson has been penning letters and posing in ads for PETA UK's American affiliate in order to raise awareness of cruelty to animals and demonstrate how easy it is to avoid contributing to animal suffering," said a spokesperson for the animal rights group.

She was awarded the title after a year in which she drew attention to animal rights issues by speaking to students at the Oxford University.

She also posed for pictures with her body painted in butcher markings, and filmed a TV commercial in which she strip-searches plane passengers for hidden furs and pelts.

The vegetarian actress-model also adopted stray dogs from an animal shelter and called on leaders in India to ban the country's "unspeakably cruel" trade in leather.